As our little learners return to school, either in a classroom or at home, it is important to keep their bodies moving! Research has shown that physical movement:
🧠 improves our ability to focus
🧠 helps consolidate learning
🧠 boosts productivity
🧠 reduces feelings of being overwhelmed
This academic year, we encourage all students to engage in brief movement breaks every 60-90 minutes! This may look like:
🧘🏻♀️ Stretching or performing yoga poses
🏃🏼 Going for a short walk (even around the classroom or your home)
🤸🏼♂️ Completing 10 jumping jacks
💃🏼 Having a dance party
Your student will come back feeling rejuvenated and ready to approach their work with more energy and a fresh perspective!
Please share with us how you and your family keep moving while completing school or other work!
How to boost productivity when working at home
A question many people have been asking themselves is “How can I be the most productive when working at home?”
Here are a few tips to increase your learning/working from home productivity:
🔹Reducing desk clutter and distractions is a great way to keep your mind focused on the task at hand
⏰ Set a weekly schedule
✅ Make goals for the day
🚫 Turn off other electronics
🏃 Always take movement break (stay tuned for tips!)
🕖As they say, you have to look the part to play the part! Even if your kids are learning virtually, stick to a schedule. Everyone should get up at a consistent time and get dressed in order to feel ready to tackle the school day.
You got this! 💪
At Home Learning Station
With an increase in virtual learning, there is a greater demand to set up an effective home learning station! Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating the perfect study space for your kids.
Although it is tempting to watch that last school module on the couch, please encourage good habits by asking your kids to do their work at an ergonomically sound workstation:
Have your child sit on a chair where they can maintain good posture. Their knees should be bent approximately 90 degrees and their feet should be flat on the floor. For younger learners, this may require a stool or box to rest their feet on.
When working with a computer, keep the screen at eye level. This may require using as stand to raise the computer monitor.
Adjust screen brightness, ideally to keep it around the same brightness as the work environment.
It is also important to keep in mind that more online learning means more screen time. We encourage you to be mindful of eye strain by encouraging breaks and reducing playtime involving screens. Consistent blinking and changing eye focus by looking around the room periodically can help relax the eyes and keep them moist. The 20/20/20 rule is a great way to help with this (have your child look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes!).
Questions about your home learning station? Please let us know in the comment section!
How to select the best shoes
Whether you’re leaning from home or in the classroom, there will be lots of running, jumping, and playing come September! Kids need shoes that are ready for just that!Please read below for a few hints to help with shoe shopping!
Even if you think that you already know your child’s size, try the next size up or down and check that they have an index finger width of space from their longest toe to the end of the shoe. Also consider the width of the shoe, a child’s heel should stay in place and not wiggle out of the shoe.
Pro tip- Remove the insole from the shoe, and have your child stand on the insole to get a better idea of how their foot fits in the shoe.
Every child needs a shoe that is ready to move with them. Choose a shoe that is light enough to be comfortable for the whole day, perhaps with cushioning for extra comfort, and sufficient traction to reduce falls. With reduced falls in mind, cross the Heelys off the list…the built-in wheels can lead to injuries and alter how your child walks.
What about the battle between Velcro and laces? If your child is not ready to begin tying their shoes and you want a fast and easy option, velcro shoes may be the right choice. Please avoid slip-on shoes that will likely lack proper foot support.
If your child uses orthotics or a foot brace, remember to bring these items along to the store! As stated in an earlier post, “overpronation is not just flat feet”. While all babies are born with flat feet, if your child is showing signs of overpronation, a combination of physiotherapy and orthotics could be beneficial for your child. If the feet are simply flatter, a shoe with a rigid heel can help stabilize this more flexible foot type. For a foot with a high arch, a flexible shoe with shock absorption can be a good option.
Happy shopping! If you have any questions about footwear, please do not hesitate to ask in the comment section!
The Perfect Backpack
As a new school year quickly approaches, whether you choose online or in-person learning, a new backpack can help get your little learner excited to start the new year!
When choosing a schoolbag with your child this year, consider backpack ergonomics.
Ergonomics is a fancy word that describes interactions between people and the equipment in their work environment in order to promote worker safety and efficiency, while minimizing injury. Ergonomic backpacks can translate into less back pain and better posture.
We came up with “DW’S Tips” to help you choose an ergonomically sound backpack this year!
D-Design
Look for ergonomic features! 2 wide, padded shoulder straps, waist and chest straps, and back padding can increase comfort and promote good posture. Compartments can also help redistribute weight more evenly.
W-Weight
No more than 10-15% of the child’s body weight, and definitely no more than 25lbs! With online work becoming more common, lugging around extra textbooks can be avoided. It is important to note that when packing heavy items, they should be placed against the back and towards the bottom of the backpack.
S-Size
Choose a backpack that fits your child’s essential items but avoids excess space, as this tends to lead to overpacking. It should not be wider than the torso or hang far below the waist!
Orthotic Helmets
Some babies may require a customized orthotic helmet to correct their plagiocephaly.
A few things to keep in mind when considering a helmet:
The optimal time to use helmet is between 5 and 7 months of age, when the baby's head is rapidly growing. That being said, helmet therapy can be initiated as late as 12 months old.
Having an assessment by an orthotist at 4 months of age is ideal, to allow time to monitor for change and make a decision prior to 5 months of age.
Torticollis (tight neck muscle) or a delay in motor skills can make strategies like counter positioning more difficult and less effective.
Given that plagiocephaly does not impact brain growth or development, correction is often considered “cosmetic only”. However, severe asymmetries can affect things like wearing glasses or sporting helmets
You do not need a referral to have an assessment by an orthotist or a physiotherapist.
If you are at all concerned about the shape of your baby’s head, speak to your health care provider.
Torticollis
Does your baby prefer to look in one direction?
The problem may actually be coming from a muscle on the opposite side of the neck! The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is a muscle in the neck that’s function is to rotate to neck to the opposite side and tilt the neck to the same side.
𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 occurs when the SCM is shortened or contracted, resulting in a preference to look in one direction and/or tilt in the opposite direction.
Commonly, we see a shortened left SCM which leads to right rotation and a left tilt.
What causes torticollis?
Torticollis may be a result of positioning in the womb, stretching of the muscle during birth, or the muscle may become tight because the baby has a preference to look to one side only.
Why do we want to treat torticollis?
A baby who has decreased neck range of motion (ROM) and a preference to look in one direction can develop a positional plagiocephaly, commonly known as infant “flat head” (See our last blog post!)
Finding midline (the middle) is an important developmental skill and can be delayed in babies who have torticollis
Integration of certain reflexes (e.g. ATNR) can be delayed with a persistent head preference
Treatment for torticollis involves gentle stretching and strengthening of baby’s neck muscles and positioning strategies to reduce a preference for one side.
If you notice that your baby has a tendency to look more towards one direction, speak to your healthcare provider for advice.
Positional Plagiocephaly
Positional Plagiocephaly, commonly referred to as “infant flat head” is a condition in which a baby’s skull develops a flat spot, often on one side.
What causes plagiocephaly?
Often, plagiocephaly is the result of positioning. Babies’ skulls are very soft and easy to mold. As a result, if a baby spends too much time lying on their back or in a piece of equipment, such as a car seat, they can develop a flat spot on the back of their head (called brachycephaly). If a baby has a preference to look in one direction only, they can develop a flat spot on the same side as the preference
Torticollis (tight neck muscle) can play a role as well. If a baby has reduced range of motion, the back of the skull becomes flat on the same side the baby prefers to rotate towards.
In more severe cases, you may also see changes in the appearance of the baby’s face. The ear may shift forward, the cheek appears larger, and the eye may appear smaller on the same side as the skull fattening.
It is important to note that plagiocephaly does not impact brain development. However, a positional preference or torticollis can impact acquisition of motor skills.
Treatment for plagiocephaly often involves:
Counter-positioning exercises to address a preference and prevent continued pressure on the affected side. Back to sleep is recommended as it is safest for baby, making tummy time so important when baby is awake. Scroll a few posts back for some hints on making tummy time more enjoyable!
Stretching and strengthening of the neck muscles if torticollis is a contributing factor.
An orthotic helmet may be considered. More information on orthotic helmets for plagiocephaly coming later this week!
If you have a concern about your baby’s head shape, or notice that they prefer to look in one direction, speak to your doctor or physiotherapist for an assessment (you don’t need a referral). The earlier a positional preference or plagiocephaly is identified, the easier it is to treat.
Winter Activities
We love seeing families get outside on snowy winter days! Some of our favourite FUN family activities are skating, tobogganing, and skiing. Before you hit the rink or the hills, we have included a few tips and facts for you to consider
Skating:
Helmets are a must! Even experienced skaters fall and it is important to protect your head. A helmet with a cage is recommended for children. Knee pads and gloves may also make your new skater feel more comfortable.
Walk before you run (or skate!). Encourage your little one to keep their arms out for balance and their head up.
Once you have a proficient walker, encourage your child to turn their toes out and push to glide forward. You can make this easier by having them push a small chair or support surface on the ice.
Teach your little one to stop by making pizza slices with their feet.
Tobogganing:
Always wear a helmet and ensure you are sledding in an area clear of obstacles (trees, poles, other people, streets, etc).
Climbing back to the top of the hills is an excellent workout – especially with all of your winter gear on! You may feel the muscles of your shin, calves, thighs, and bottom working extra hard as you climb.
Skiing
It is a total body workout! Skiing will improve your child’s cardiovascular fitness, as well as optimize their arm, leg, and core strength.
Helps to develop motor planning, coordination, and balance.
Boosts self-esteem, confidence, and physical literacy.
Allows your family to appreciate nature!
Have FUN!
Baby Carriers + Baby Wearing
Baby-wearing is beneficial for both the baby and caregiver. That being said, it is important to keep a few safety considerations in mind when using a carrier.
Hip position is key! The baby’s legs should be bent so that their knees are slightly higher than their bottom, with their tights spread around their caregiver and well supported. This will result in their legs creating an “M” position.
Your baby’s face should be in view at all times. You should not need to remove fabric to check on them.
Ensure your baby is not resting with their chin against their chest. This may restrict their airway. There should be at least one finger width under your baby’s chin.
The carrier should provide appropriate support for the baby’s neck and back. Remember that an infant’s back is naturally rounded. Do not use a carrier that forces the baby to straighten his/her spine.
Remember that the carrier should be safe and comfortable for the wearer too! Look for carriers/slings that evenly distribute the baby’s weight across the wearer’s body.
Happy baby wearing!
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to replace manufacturers’ recommendations.